Putting NATO on the Map

CHIVENOR, United Kingdom - Military cartographers from ten NATO nations have been working together on a large-scale map-making exercise in North Devon.

The specialist geospatial soldiers met in Chivenor, in the southwest of England, to share their technical knowledge and experience in producing accurate maps.

The chief geographic officer from Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, Royal Engineer Lieutenant Colonel Simon Finch, explained: "The benefit of having so many people involved is that we can learn from across NATO about how we each do business.

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"The most important thing that our geospatial soldiers can do is really bring a map to life. And the benefit of that then helps commanders make decisions based on the information we have gathered together – adding the extra dimensions that make the map come alive rather than it being just a two-dimensional piece of paper.”

The annual exercise, hosted by the UK-led Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, is the only one of its kind across NATO, aiming to build relationships in this specialist field as well as improve geospatial interoperability.

Story by Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Public Affairs Office